Megan Robichaud grew up in Fredericton after moving from Esgenoôpetitj First Nation, and she has since returned to her community to build her career. She enjoys spending time outdoors, being with family, and staying active through a variety of hobbies.
Megan pursued studies in Payroll and Fundamentals at Eastern College, working toward a career as an Accounting and Payroll Administrator. Throughout her education, she developed skills in bookkeeping, accounting, and account management.
Megan connected with Priscilla Grimmer from JEDI, who introduced her to Gage Perley, and he helped her to get funding to seek employment opportunities within her community. This was able to happen through JEDI’s Indigenous Internship Program. This program helps post-secondary graduates with job placements, helping them gain job experience, skills and capabilities within their field of study, with the long-term objective of securing full-time employment.
However, her path was not without challenges. Early disruptions in funding and employment left her struggling to find stable work. As financial pressures mounted, she was forced to rely on social assistance. Although she secured a position at the Bingoplex in Esgenoôpetitj, the facility closed for renovations, leaving her once again without work. Adding to the challenges, a paperwork complication prevented her from completing a planned work placement. These setbacks led to prolonged financial hardship and significantly impacted her confidence and mental health, which in turn affected her academic performance.
Determined to move forward, Megan later found short-term work doing inventory with the Watershed. She inquired about completing an internship in the summer of 2025, and the organization welcomed her. With continued support from JEDI, Megan was able to extend her internship beyond its original timeline. She demonstrated initiative by approaching the Watershed with a proposal to continue her role, which led to the creation of a funded position. While this opportunity has been invaluable, its continuation depends on securing additional funding.
During this time, the Esgenoôpetitj Watershed Association was transitioning into the Esgenoôpetitj First Nation Fisheries – Science Department. This evolution reflects the broader scope and importance of their work, and their passion for their work that goes beyond water.
In her role, Megan focused primarily on finance and bookkeeping but also contributed to water sampling and other departmental needs. One of her most significant accomplishments was implementing a QuickBooks system, transitioning financial records from paper to a streamlined digital format. This required extensive work, including organizing both current and previous fiscal year data.
Her responsibilities now include tracking daily expenses such as travel, training, and equipment, while also gaining exposure to other areas like proposal writing. This hands-on experience has allowed her to expand her skill set beyond traditional office work.
Megan values the supportive and collaborative environment of her workplace. She particularly appreciates the opportunity to work outdoors and the encouragement she receives from her team. Attending additional training in Moncton further enriched her experience.
This placement has helped Megan rebuild her confidence and rediscover joy in her work. She takes pride in applying what she learned in school to real-world situations and continues to grow both professionally and personally.
Looking ahead, Megan aims to further expand her knowledge and develop skills beyond finance. Reflecting on her journey, she offers this advice:
“Don’t give up at the first downfall—be persistent. One disappointment can lead to something positive.”
She also emphasizes the importance of resilience and seeking support:
“Don’t be ashamed of failing or struggling. Reach out for help and make sure you have someone there when you need them.”
If you are interested in the Indigenous Internship Program, contact JEDI at 1-506-444-5650 or email info@jedinb.ca.